PEAK BUSINESS GROUP SUPPORTS DOUBLE DIPPING REGULATIONS

The state’s peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber, believes proposed regulations being introduced by the Federal Government to prevent ‘double dipping’ by casual workers will be met with relief by business owners across the country.

“I commend the Government for addressing the absurd situation where employees can double dip by receiving a casual loading in lieu of annual and personal leave, and then receive those exact same paid leave entitlements as well,” said NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Kellon Beard.

“These new regulations are a victory for common sense,” Mr. Beard said.

“It is disappointing that the Government was not able to obtain bi-partisan support for a legislative solution to address all of the problems arising from the recent Workpac v Skene decision.

“Without the new regulations, we are left with Fair Work laws that are not fair and do not align with the reality of casual employment in the modern workforce.

“Many employers engage casuals to meet operational demands of their business, and many employees choose to be engaged as casuals so that they receive their 25% casual loading. Many of these consensual arrangements, which have operated in practice for decades, now carry the risk of landing employers with a double whammy.

“It’s why the NSW Business Chamber recently proposed the idea of introducing a new category of worker, a perma-flexi, which allows casual employees to be engaged on the same flexible basis as they always have been, but with leave entitlements being provided in exchange for the payment of a 10% loading.

“It is staggering that the ACTU continues to argue against the proposed flexible category of employment, when the Chamber’s proposal gives casuals the option of obtaining the employment security and benefits that the ACTU has been publicly calling for,” Mr. Beard said.